3269. Last word © Bruce Goodman 17 July 2025

Bernadine’s husband had lain in the hospice bed unconscious for several days. Bernadine dozed in an armchair next to the bed. Most of the time she held his hand. He seemed to be breathing deeply, but the doctor had said it was only a matter of days, perhaps even hours. The wait gave Bernadine plenty of time to reflect on their forty-seven years of marriage. They had three children, all grown up and currently making their way home from overseas. Hopefully they would arrive before their father passed away. She loathed to think it, but she wished he would quietly die. The wait seemed interminable and although the staff were kind she hated having to leave the room for the bathroom or even to get something to eat. Then all of a sudden her husband sat up and in a loud voice clear as a bell said “MAGPIE!” He fell back onto the pillow. He had died. To this day, twelve years later, Bernadine still has no clue as to why her husband called out “MAGPIE!” It became a catch cry when her children and their families visited. When the meal was ready she called out MAGPIE! Everyone would laugh. She only wished her husband was still around to appreciate the joke. Contact Author Back to Index Next Story Previous Story